By Jane Keller Gordon
Westborough – Just in time for holiday shopping, the Westborough 300th Anniversary Committee has opened The 1717 Shoppe in the Westborough Shopping Plaza at 18 Lyman St. Tucked in the corner between the Westborough Art and Frame Emporium and Supercuts, the 7,000-square foot shop features Westborough commemorative items, an art gallery, book corner, event space, and a variety of consignment items by artisans connected to Westborough. Payments are accepted in the form of cash and check.
The shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Dec. 8-11, and Dec. 15 – 24. Hours after Christmas have not yet been finalized. The 1717 Shoppe will remain open for a year, until Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, Westborough’s 300th anniversary date.
Deb Schradieck, co-chair of the Westborough 300th Anniversary Committee, said, “We wish to extend tremendous thanks for donation of the space by the Colangelo family, who own the Westborough Shopping Plaza and Tatnuck Booksellers.” (The original plan was to locate the 1717 Shoppe at the Bay State Commons.)
The 1717 Shoppe is part of effort to raise funds to support Westborough’s 300th anniversary celebration. Nancy Perkins, the store’s chair, longtime retailer, and fourth-generation Westborough resident, is managing approximately 20 volunteers who are running the shop.
“We have had a soft opening. We expect to have items under consignment from 30 individuals. Since last March, I’ve used the 300th Anniversary and my own Facebook page, word-of-mouth, emails and phone calls to recruit people,” she said. “Word has spread like wildfire.”
The consignment items—including jewelry, home décor, Christmas and hand knit items, homemade soap, chocolate, candles, and penny candies—are displayed in the middle of the store, with other departments in spokes around the perimeter.
At the front, there is a cabinet filled with Westborough commemorative coffee mugs, wine glasses, and Christmas ornaments. Nearby there are buttons, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and numbered sleigh maker bracelets. Pillows with the town’s zip code 01581 are a good seller according to Perkins.
In the far corner, there is a gallery space, which currently displays historic photographs and prints that have been presented by Ed Turner, owner of the Art and Frame Emporium.
Schradieck said that artists and authors will be discussing their work in the program area.
Set with comfortable chairs, the reading corner is already stocked with books by authors connected to Westborough. Former resident and well-known author Andrew Clements has donated copies of six of his books for reading in the store. (They are available for purchase at Tatnuck Booksellers.) Available for purchase are books by: Westborough’s former police chief and town historian Glenn Parker, resident Jim Hatherley, former resident Jillian Hensley, and Westborough High School graduates Mike Demers (’87), Mike McCann (’74) and Patricia Carroll-Smith (’54).
A grand opening “Wine and Cheese Celebration” for the 1717 Shop will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. Tickets ($25) may be purchased at the 1717 Shoppe, Westborough Town Clerk’s office, Julio’s Liquors, and Roche Bros. The entrance fee includes a complimentary glass of wine, 1717 champagne or beer provided and served by Julio’s Liquors, and a commemorative wine glass with the 300th logo on one side, and Julio’s logo on the other.
Area businesses will be donating an anniversary cake (The Bistro), cheese and crackers (Roche Bros.) and an appetizer (Civic Kitchen & Drink). Civic Kitchen & Drink is also donating $10 gift cards, which will be given to the first 100 attendees. Music will be provided by ensemble groups from Westborough High School, and Westborough folksinger Luanne Crosby, who will perform her song, “The 100th Town,” which she composed.
Westborough 300th Anniversary Co-chair Reene Hatherley, who worked for the Westborough School District for 30 years, including as principal of Mill Pond School, said, “This will be a very nice event. Come and see the store, hear music, have champagne, wine or beer, and shop.”
For more information about the Westborough 300th celebration, visit www.westborough300.com. The 1717 Shoppe’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/the1717shoppe is a good place to view merchandise. If you are interested in volunteering, or seeking more information, contact Reene Hatherley at [email protected] or 508-341-8089.